Carriage systems encoding or decoding jpeg 2000 video

ABSTRACT

A system configured to decode video data in a packetized elementary stream (PES) including frames of image data. The system includes a processor configured to receive a transport stream including control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data. The processor is also configured to receive the PES including the frames of image data in video access units. The processor is configured to retrieve and decode the retrieved video access units using the control information to form a signal including the frames of image data. The system also includes a storage device configured to store the frames of image data and the control information.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/967,748, filed Dec. 14, 2010, which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Communication networks are often the medium through which digitalcontent distributors transmit protected content. Communicationsprotocols and content formatting standards have been developed whichstandardize how certain types of protected content are conveyed overvarious types of communication network architectures. However, newtechnologies are emerging with respect to the communications systemsused, the content formatting standards applicable with new types ofcontent, and the network architectures which may be utilized by thedistributing and/or receiving parties of the protected content.

Given the ongoing changes in the technologies used in distributing andviewing protected content, currently available protocols and standardsare often not adequate or operable for attaining acceptableinteroperability among systems using different protocols or contentformatted according to different standards. Furthermore, as newprotocols for communication networks and/or new standards for newcontent formats are implemented to accommodate changes in technology,existing protocols or standard may not be adequate to fully or evenpartially implement the changes in technology.

In the case of video-based protected content, especially those whichrely on high efficiency compression methods to enable transport throughcommunications networks, the need for interoperability among newtechnologies, new protocols and new standards is especially high. Thisis partly due to the wide variety of technical options constantly beingdeveloped for packaging video-based protected content for distribution.It is also due to the wide variety of usage options being developed anddeployed for the end consumers of video-based protected content.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure presents encoding and decoding systems and methods whichovercome the described drawbacks associated with attaininginteroperability among new technologies, new communications protocolsand new content formatting standards for video-based protected content,especially those which rely on high efficiency compression methods toenable transport of the video-based protected content throughcommunications networks. This is partly due to the wide variety oftechnical options constantly being developed for packaging video-basedprotected content for distribution. It is also due to the wide varietyof usage options developed and deployed for the end consumers of thevideo-based protected content.

According to an embodiment, the content formatting standard is JPEG 2000Part1 (J2K), an image compression standard and coding system developedby the Joint Photographic Experts Group committee. According to anotherembodiment the communications protocol is MPEG-2 Part 1 Systems Section,a standard for the generic coding of moving pictures and associatedaudio information developed by the Moving Pictures Expert Group.According to another embodiment, the content formatting standard is J2Kand the communications protocol is MPEG-2 Part 1 Systems Section asdescribed in International Standard—ITU-T Recommendation—InformationTechnology—Generic Coding of Moving Pictures and Associated AudioInformation Systems—Amendment 5: Transport of JPEG 2000 Part 1 (ITU-TRec T.8001 ISO/IEC 15444-1) video over ITU-T Rec H.222.0 | ISO/IEC13818-1 (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11/N11364) (July 2010, Geneva,Switzerland), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

According to a first embodiment is a system configured to encode framesof image data from an incoming signal into video data in a packetizedelementary stream (PES). The system includes a processor configured toreceive a signal including the frames of image data and controlinformation associated with the image data including video metadataparameters associated with application specific functions applicable tothe image data. The processor is also configured to encode the frames ofimage data to form video access units. Each video access unit includesan elementary stream (ELSM) header including image data metadataparameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PESheader including timing reference information including a presentationtime stamp (PTS), and one or more codestreams associated with a frame ofthe image data. The processor is also configured to map the video accessunits into PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the respectivevideo access units, and order the PES packets in a monotonic order usingthe PTS in the PES packets to form a PES in a transport stream includingthe control information. The system also includes a storage deviceconfigured to store the frames of image data, and the controlinformation.

According to a second embodiment is a method of encoding video data in aPES including frames of image data. The method includes receiving asignal including the frames of image data and control informationassociated with the image data including video metadata parametersassociated with application specific functions applicable to the imagedata. The method also includes encoding the frames of image data to formvideo access units, each video access unit including an ELSM headerincluding image data metadata parameters associated with decoding anddisplaying the image data, a PES header including timing referenceinformation including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated witha frame of the image data. The method also includes mapping the videoaccess units into PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of therespective video access units and ordering the PES packets in amonotonic order using the PTS in the PES packets to form a PES in atransport stream including the control information.

According to a third embodiment is a non-transitory computer readablemedium storing computer readable instructions that when executed by acomputer system perform a method of encoding video data in a PES fromframes of image data. The method includes receiving a signal includingthe frames of image data and control information associated with theimage data including video metadata parameters associated withapplication specific functions applicable to the image data. The methodalso includes encoding the frames of image data to form video accessunits, each video access unit including an ELSM header including imagedata metadata parameters associated with decoding and displaying theimage data, a PES header including timing reference informationincluding a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated with a frame ofthe image data. The method also includes mapping the video access unitsinto PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the respective videoaccess units and ordering the PES packets in a monotonic order using thePTS in the PES packets to form a PES in a transport stream including thecontrol information.

According to a fourth embodiment is a system configured to decode videodata in a PES including frames of image data. The system includes aprocessor configured to receive a transport stream including controlinformation associated with the image data including video metadataparameters associated with application specific functions applicable tothe image data and the PES, wherein the PES includes the frames of imagedata in video access units. Each video access unit includes an ELSMheader including image data metadata parameters associated with decodingand displaying the image data, a PES header including timing referenceinformation including a PTS, and one or more codestreams associated witha frame of the image data. The processor is configured to retrieve eachvideo access unit present according to a monotonic order determined fromthe PTS in the PES header of the video access unit and decode theretrieved video access unit using the control information to form asignal including the frames of image data. The system also includes astorage device configured to store the frames of image data and thecontrol information.

According to a fifth embodiment is a method of decoding video data in aPES including frames of image data. The method includes receiving atransport stream including control information associated with the imagedata including video metadata parameters associated with applicationspecific functions applicable to the image data and the PES, wherein thePES includes the frames of image data in video access units. Each videoaccess unit includes an ELSM header including image data metadataparameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PESheader including timing reference information including a PTS, and oneor more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. Themethod also includes retrieving each video access unit present in amonotonic order associated with the PTS in the PES header of the videoaccess unit and decoding the retrieved video access unit using thecontrol information to form a signal including the frames of image data.

According to a sixth embodiment is a non-transitory computer readablemedium storing computer readable instructions that when executed by acomputer system perform a method of decoding video data in a PESincluding frames of image data. The method includes receiving atransport stream including control information associated with the imagedata including video metadata parameters associated with applicationspecific functions applicable to the image data and the PES, wherein thePES includes the frames of image data in video access units. Each videoaccess unit includes an ELSM header including image data metadataparameters associated with decoding and displaying the image data, a PESheader including timing reference information including a PTS, and oneor more codestreams associated with a frame of the image data. Themethod also includes retrieving each video access unit present in amonotonic order associated with the PTS in the PES header of the videoaccess unit and decoding the retrieved video access unit using thecontrol information to form a signal including the frames of image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments are described in detail in the following description withreference to the following figures:

FIG. 1A is a system context diagram illustrating a content distributionsystem 100, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a breakout frame of an MPEG-2 transport stream 102 shown inFIG. 1A and illustrating encoded packets carried in the MPEG 2 transportstream 102, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block system diagram illustrating an encoding system 210 anda decoding system 240, according to different embodiments;

FIG. 3A is a flowchart illustrating a method of encoding 300 using theencoding system 210 shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating a method of decoding 350 using thedecoding system 240 shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a block system diagram illustrating a computer systemconfigured to provide a hardware platform for the encoding system 210 orthe decoding system 240 shown in FIG. 2, according to differentembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of theembodiments are described by referring mainly to examples thereof. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It isapparent however, to one of ordinary skill in the art, that theembodiments may be practiced without limitation to these specificdetails. In some instances, well known methods and structures have notbeen described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure theembodiments. Furthermore, different embodiments are described below. Theembodiments may be used or performed together in different combinations.

1. Content Distribution System

In a content distribution system (CDS), such as the CDS 100 illustratedin FIG. 1A, a content distribution facility, such as a headend 101, maybe used to package and distribute protected content, such as video-basedcontent. The video-based content may be packaged and transmitted, forexample, via an MPEG-2 transport stream 102. The MPEG-2 transport stream102 may include a plurality of video and audio streams associated withdifferent data formats and programs provided through the CDS 100 tovarious types of client premises equipment (CPE) and client devices suchas, for example, a cell phone 103, a set-top box 104 and a computer 105.Other CPEs and client devices may include multimedia devices (e.g.,digital cameras, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, colorfacsimile, printers, scanners, etc).

The MPEG-2 transport stream includes different types of packetizedinformation as illustrated in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B shows an MPEG-2 transportstream cut out 150 of the MPEG-2 transport stream 102 shown in FIG. 1A.The MPEG-2 transport stream 102 may include a PES which are the videopackets 170 a to 170 d and the program information packet 160, accordingto an embodiment. The program information packet 160 includes controlinformation to reference one or a plurality of video packets, such asvideo packets 170 a to 170 d. The program information packet 160includes control information, such a program map table 161 including aJ2K video descriptor 162 to reference the video packets 170 a to 170 d.The J2K video descriptor 162 includes information describing what typesof J2K video data, such as J2K video data 173 a, may be included in avideo packet, such as video packet 170 a, and how the J2K video data isused, such as use in a still picture, a slide show or as frames of videoin a J2K video sequence used in a program specified within the programmap table 161. In another embodiment, a PES may include only videopackets which may be referenced by control information, such as theinformation in the J2K video descriptor 162, which is not located in aprogram information packet associated with a PES in a transport streambut is instead located elsewhere in the transport stream including thePES.

The video packets in the PES illustrated in FIG. 1B include videopackets 170 a to 170 d. Video packet 170 a is representative of theother video packets 170 b to 170 d. It includes a J2K video access unit171 a. The J2K video access unit 171 a includes an ELSM header 172 a andJ2K video data 173 a, such as encoded J2K image data for a single aframe, such as a J2K still picture or a frame in a J2K video sequence.

The program information packet 160 includes control information formanaging and/or using the video packets 170 a to 170 d. The programinformation packet 160 associated with video packet 170 a includes aprogram map table 161 which includes the J2K video descriptor 162. Theinformation in the J2K video descriptor 162 is used to direct usage ofthe J2K access unit 171 a in the J2K video packet 170 a. The videopackets 170 a to 170 d may be included in a video PES which ismultiplexed with other elementary streams and program streams in theMPEG-2 transport stream 102.

The J2K video access unit 171 a includes encoded J2K video data 173 aand an ELSM header 172 a. The J2K video data 173 a in the J2K accessunit 171 a, before it is encoded, may be referred to as J2K image data.The J2K image data encoded in the J2K video access unit 171 a may beassociated with a single frame or a still picture of J2K image data. AJ2K video access unit, such as J2K video access unit 171 a, is a unit ofencoded J2K image data for a complete frame in a video or a stillpicture. The J2K video access unit 171 a also includes parameters in theELSM header 172 a which may be used to decode the J2K access unit 171 aand to display the decoded J2K image data. The information in the J2Kvideo descriptor 162 and the ELSM header 172 a both reference the J2Kvideo data 173 a, but in different ways. In comparison with theinformation in the J2K video descriptor 162, the ELSM header 172 a inthe J2K access unit 171 contains relatively low level video-centric datafor decoding and displaying the video data 173 a as decoded J2K imagedata. As noted above, the information in the J2K video descriptor 162 isused to direct usage of the J2K access unit 171 a in the J2K videopacket 170 a. This is a higher level referencing than in the ELSM header172 a. However, the J2K video descriptor 162 may include some of thesame metadata parameters and information included in the ELSM header 172a about the J2K video data 173 a. Thus, the J2K video descriptor 162enables a higher level access to some of the information in the ELSMheader 172 a, without accessing all of the information about the J2Kvideo data 173 a included in the ELSM header 172 a.

The MPEG-2 transport stream 102 including video packets, such as videopackets 170 a to 170 d including J2K video access units, may be used inclient/server communications (e.g., the Internet, Image database, videostreaming, video server, etc.) distributing cinema and for the exchangeof content as well as the contribution of content to service providers.It may also be used in entertainment services and over broadbandservices utilizing satellites, cable system, 3DTV systems and IPTVsystems. The MPEG-2 transport stream 102 including J2K video accessunits, such as J2K video access unit 171 a, may also be used insatellite imaging systems, medical imaging systems, systems forhigh-quality frame-based video recording, editing and storage, digitalcinema systems, high quality video (2D and 3DTV) contribution systems todistribution points and systems used for imaging weather or astronomicalrecording.

2. Encoding and Decoding Systems

FIG. 2 illustrates the encoding system 210 and the decoding system 240,according to an embodiment. The decoding system 240 is representative ofany of the CPEs or client devices discussed above with respect to FIG.1A. In FIG. 2, there is block diagram illustrating an encoding system210 delivering the MPEG-2 transport stream 102 to the decoding system240, according to an embodiment. The encoding system 210 includes acontroller 211, a counter 212, a frame memory 213, an encoding unit 214and a transmitter buffer 215. The decoding system 240 includes areceiver buffer 250, a decoding unit 251, a frame memory 252 and acontroller 253. The encoding system 210 and the decoding system 240 arecoupled to each other via a transmission path including the MPEG-2transport stream 102. The controller 211 of the encoding system 210controls the amount of data to be transmitted on the basis of thecapacity of the receiver buffer 250 and may include other parameterssuch as the amount of data per a unit of time. The controller 211controls the encoding unit 214, to prevent the occurrence of a failureof a received signal decoding operation of the decoding system 240. Thecontroller 211 may include, for example, a microcomputer having aprocessor, a random access memory and a read only memory.

An incoming signal 220 supplied from, for example, a video camerarecording J2K digital images, which are input to the frame memory 213.The frame memory 213 has a first area used for storing the incomingsignal 220 from the video camera, and a second area used for reading outthe stored signal and outputting it to the encoding unit 214. Thecontroller 211 outputs an area switching control signal 223 to the framememory 213. The area switching control signal 223 indicates whether thefirst area or the second area is to be used.

The controller 211 outputs an encoding control signal 224 to theencoding unit 214. The encoding control signal 224 causes the encodingunit 214 to start an encoding operation. In response to the encodingcontrol signal 224 from the controller 211, including controlinformation such as the information referenced in the J2K videodescriptor 162 and/or the ELSM header 172 a, the encoding unit 214starts to read out the video signal to a high-efficiency encodingprocess, such as an interframe coding process or a discrete cosinetransform to encode the J2K image data to form J2K video access units.Each J2K video access unit, such a J2K access unit 171 a, includes anELSM header, such a ELSM header 172 a. A ELSM header generally includesmetadata about a J2K access unit which is used to assist in decoding anddisplaying the J2K image data in from encoded J2K video data. Accordingto an embodiment, the control signal includes the J2K video descriptorinformation and may include other video metadata parameters. Asdescribed above, the J2K video descriptor includes informationassociated with the J2K video access unit. It may also includeinformation associated with a J2K video sequence, a J2K still picture orboth.

A table containing metadata fields in an exemplary J2K video descriptoris demonstrated in Table I below.

TABLE I No. Of Table I - J2K Video Descriptor Syntax bits MnemonicJ2K_video_descriptor( ) {  descriptor_tag 8 uimsbf  descriptor_length 8uimsbf  profile_and_level 16 uimsbf  horizontal_size 32 uimsbf vertical_size 32 uimsbf  max_bit_rate 32 uimsbf  max_buffer_size 32uimsbf  DEN_frame_rate 16 uimsbf  NUM_frame_rate 16 uimsbf color_specification 8 bslbf  still_mode 1 bslbf  interlaced_video 1bslbf  reserved 6 bslbf  private_data_byte 8 bslbf

The fields in the exemplary J2K video descriptor of Table I are nowdescribed for illustrative purposes.

Profile_and_Level may be coded to indicate broadcast profile and levelvalues associated with the J2K access unit and the video sequence thatare part of the program. These parameters are defined in the J2K videostandard and are also included in the J2K video descriptor as this isthe interoperability point between encoding system 210 and the decodingsystem 240. For example—a decoder that cannot support a particularprofile and level will not attempt to decode the J2K video access unit.

Horizontal_size may be coded to correspond with a horizontal sizeparameter in a J2K codestream (ELSM) header for a code stream in the J2Kvideo access unit.

Vertical_size may be coded to correspond with a vertical size parameterin a J2K codestream (ELSM) header for a code stream in the J2K videoaccess unit.

Max_bit_rate may be coded to express the maximum compressed bit ratevalue for the profile and level specified.

Max_buffer_size may be coded to express the maximum buffer size valuefor the profile and level specified.

DEN_frame_rate and NUM_frame_rate are fields for coding a J2K frame ratederived from the DEN_frame_rate and NUM_frame_rate values.

The encoding unit 214 prepares an encoded video signal 222 in apacketized elementary stream (PES) including video packets 160 andprogram information packets 170. The encoding unit 214 maps the videoaccess units into video packets 160 using a program time stamp (PTS) andthe control information. The PTS and the control information are alsoassociated with the program information packet 170 which is associatedwith a corresponding video packet 160. The encoded video signal 222 isstored in the transmitter buffer 214 and the information amount counter212 is incremented to indicate the amount of data in the transmittedbuffer 215. As data is retrieved and removed from the buffer, thecounter 212 is decremented to reflect the amount of data in the buffer.The occupied area information signal 226 is transmitted to the counter212 to indicate whether data from the encoding unit 214 has been addedor removed from the transmitted buffer 215 so the counter 212 can beincremented or decremented. The controller 211 controls the productionof packets produced by the encoding unit 214 on the basis of theoccupied area information 226 communicated in order to prevent anoverflow or underflow from taking place in the transmitter buffer 215.

The information amount counter 212 is reset in response to a presetsignal 228 generated and output by the controller 211. After theinformation counter 212 is reset, it counts data output by the encodingunit 214 and obtains the amount of information which has been generated.Then, the information amount counter 212 supplies the controller 211with an information amount signal 229 representative of the obtainedamount of information. The controller 211 controls the encoding unit 214so that there is no overflow at the transmitter buffer 215.

The receiver buffer 250 of the decoding system 240 may temporarily storethe PES with encoded data received from the encoding system 210 via theMPEG-2 transport stream 102. The decoding system 240 counts the numberof frames of the received data, and outputs a frame number signal 263which is applied to the controller 253. The controller 253 supervisesthe counted number of frames at a predetermined interval, for instance,each time the decoding unit 251 completes the decoding operation.

When the frame number signal 263 indicates the receiver buffer 250 is ata predetermined capacity, the controller 253 outputs a decoding startsignal 264 to the decoding unit 251. When the frame number signal 263indicates the receiver buffer 250 is at less than a predeterminedcapacity, the controller 253 waits for the occurrence of the situationin which the counted number of frames becomes equal to the predeterminedamount. When the frame number signal 263 indicates the receiver buffer250 is at the predetermined capacity, the controller 253 outputs thedecoding start signal 264. The video access units are decoded in amonotonic order (i.e., increasing or decreasing) based on a presentationtime stamp (PTS) in the header of the program information packets 170and the ELSM header 151 of the video packets 160 associated withcorresponding program information packets 170.

In response to the decoding start signal 264, the decoding unit 251decodes data amounting to one frame from the receiver buffer 250, andoutputs the data. The decoding unit 251 writes a decoded video signal262 into the frame memory 252. The frame memory 252 has a first areainto which the decoded video signal is written, and a second area usedfor reading out the decoded video data and outputting it to a monitor orthe like.

3. Methods

FIG. 3A illustrates a method 300 according to embodiment, for encodingJ2K video data in a PES in MPEG-2 transport stream 102. The PES may be aJ2K video elementary stream including J2K video access units in videopackets. The method is described with respect to the encoding system 210shown in FIG. 2 by way of example and not limitation. The method may beperformed in other systems. The steps of the methods may be performed ina different sequence or one or more may be omitted.

At step 301, the encoding system 210 receives an incoming signal 220including frames of J2K image data as well as metadata such as controlinformation to generate other parameters for transport. These parametersmay include interleaving or mixing program information packets and videopackets, described further below with respect to step 304.

At step 302, the encoding system 210 encodes the frames of J2K imagedata to form J2K video access units. Each J2K video access unit includesan ELSM header. The MPEG-2 transport stream also includes a programinformation packet with a J2K video descriptor with video metadataparameters that may also be included in the ELSM header. The J2K videodescriptor also includes other parameters that are needed to conveyinformation about the video sequence and application usages. The J2Kvideo descriptor includes information, such as described in table 1above, associated with the J2K video access unit and either a videosequence or a still picture. The J2K video access unit also includes aPES header including timing reference information, including the PTS,which identifies a time associated with the encoding and/or decoding ofthe J2K video access unit. Also, the J2K video access unit includes oneor more codestreams associated with a frame of the J2K image data. Acodestream is a bit stream data associated with the frame of image datain the J2K video access unit.

At step 303, the encoding system 210 maps the J2K video access unitsinto PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the J2K video accessunits.

At step 304, the encoding system 210 creates the video packets which maybe mixed with program information packets and then orders these packetsas PES packets in a monotonic order using the PTS in the PES packets toform a PES. The PES may be incorporated into the MPEG-2 transport stream102 using a multiplexer.

FIG. 3B illustrates a method 350 according to embodiment, for decodingvideo data in a PES. The decoding method is described with respect tothe decoding system 240 shown in FIG. 2 by way of example and notlimitation. The method may be performed in other systems.

At step 351, the decoding system 240 receives the PES in a receiverbuffer 250 and extracts the video packets and the program informationpackets. The video packets in the PES includes the J2K image data in J2Kvideo access units. Each J2K video access unit includes an ELSM headerand the MPEG-2 transport stream also includes program informationpackets including the J2K video descriptor including the controlinformation including video metadata parameters associated withapplication specific functions including the image data such as display,slide shows, etc. The J2K video descriptor may also include informationin common with the ELSM header associated with the J2K video access unitrelating to the J2K video data as being a video sequence, a stillpicture or both. The PES headers for the video packets also includestiming reference information including a PTS, and one or morecodestreams associated with a frame of the image data.

At step 352, the decoding system 240 retrieves each J2K video accessunits present in the buffer in a monotonic order associated with the PTSin the PES header of the J2K video access unit.

At step 353, the decoding system 240 decodes the removed J2K videoaccess units to form a signal including the decoded J2K image data.

4. Computer System for Executing Software

One or more of the steps and functions described herein and one or moreof the components of the systems described herein may be implemented ascomputer code comprising computer readable instructions stored on acomputer readable storage device, such as memory or another type ofstorage device. The computer code is executed on a computer system, suchas computer system 400 described below by a processor, such as anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other type ofcircuit. The code may exist as software programs comprised of programinstructions in source code, object code, executable code or otherformats.

FIG. 4 shows a computer system 400 which may be used as a hardwareplatform for the encoding system 210 or the decoding system 240.Computer system 400 may be used as a platform for executing one or moreof the steps, methods, and functions described herein that may beembodied as software stored on one or more computer readable storagedevices, which are hardware storage devices.

The computer system 400 includes a processor 401, or processingcircuitry, that may implement or execute software instructionsperforming some or all of the methods, functions and other stepsdescribed herein. Commands and data from processor 401 are communicatedover a communication bus 403. Computer system 400 also includes acomputer readable storage device 402, such as random access memory(RAM), where the software and data for processor 401 may reside duringruntime. Storage device 402 may also include non-volatile data storage.Computer system 400 may include a network interface 404 for connectingto a network. It is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatother known electronic components may be added or substituted incomputer system 400.

A PES including J2K access units overcomes the above describedinteroperability limitations associated with previous protocols andstandards in transporting J2K image data in a PES, such as may beincluded in the MPEG-2 transport stream 102. The MPEG-2 transport stream102 including J2K access units in video packets 160 may be used inclient/server communications (e.g., the Internet, Image database, videostreaming, video server, etc.) distributing cinema and for the exchangeof content as well as the contribution of content to service providers.It may also be used in entertainment services and over broadbandservices utilizing satellites, cable systems, 3DTV systems and IPTVsystems. The MPEG-2 transport stream 102 including J2K access units,such as J2K video access unit 171 a, may also be used in satelliteimaging systems, medical imaging systems, systems for high-qualityframe-based video recording, editing and storage, digital cinemasystems, high quality video (2D and 3DTV) contribution systems todistribution points and systems used for imaging weather or astronomicalrecordings.

Furthermore, the systems and methods described herein are generallydescribed with respect to an encoding system or decoding system for J2Kvideo access units in a video elementary stream. However, the systemsand methods are applicable to encoding or decoding other types of dataformats for other types of information streams.

While the embodiments have been described with reference to examples,those skilled in the art are able to make various modifications to thedescribed embodiments without departing from the scope of theembodiments as described in the following claims, and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system configured to encode frames of imagedata from an incoming signal into video data in a packetized elementarystream (PES), the system comprising: a processor configured to receive asignal including the frames of image data and control informationassociated with the image data including video metadata parametersassociated with application specific functions applicable to the imagedata, encode the frames of image data to form video access units, eachvideo access unit including an elementary stream (ELSM) header includingimage data metadata parameters associated with decoding and displayingthe image data, a PES header including timing reference informationincluding a presentation time stamp (PTS), and one or more codestreamsassociated with a frame of the image data, map the video access unitsinto PES packets using the PTS in the PES header of the respective videoaccess units, and order the PES packets in a monotonic order using thePTS in the PES packets to form a PES in a transport stream including thecontrol information; and a storage device configured to store the framesof image data, and the control information, wherein the video metadataparameters include a parameter identifying a time code associated witheach video access unit, a parameter identifying a frame count associatedwith each video access unit, and a parameter identifying whether thevideo data is interlaced video.